Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-28
WHAT TO DO.

Hk08 L " I've
The discussion of what to do with the
surplus in the Treasury and whist to do in
! order to prevent the future accumulation
of money in the Treasury, forcibly recslls
General Hancock's declaration that the
tariff was local question and should DE
left for Congress to settle. It was claim
ed that this declaration of General Haa-
cock defeated him for the presidency, land
perhaps it did; but there was much OF
solemn truth in the words OF the soldier
statesman. The tariff affects the self
interest Of its henefciarles aud builds up
compact aggressive force among those
who profit by it. The purchase Of flock
of sheep by tarif-tor-revenue Demo
crst in Texas converts him into q
bowling protectionist OF american
labor" while he continues to employ
cheap Mexican herdsmen. The sugar
planter and the rice grower are moved by
the same principle to join hands with the
manufacturers of iron and cotton and
wooden goods to fasten the burden of q
high tariff on the farmer, which grinds to
the dust while hidden under the form of
indirect taxation.
The disposition of the Treasury surplus
and the prevention of future accumula-
ton Is engrossing the best thought
of the country, and as the obvious pre-
vention of future accumulation lies in q
reduction Of the public revenues, the
great question is, whether that reduction
shall be effected by doing away with the
Internal revenue taxes or by reducing the
tariff on manufactured goods. While the
western and southern farmer wants
cheaper goods and cheaper bagging and
ties, the following, from Massachusetts
paper, shows what the demand is among
the people who are benefited by high
tariff:
"There seems to be G stringency in the
money market, although the surplus in
the Treasury is enormous. The Comp
troller made call for bonds few days
ago. and it resulted in slight fall of the
rate, yet the fact remains that the people
cannot get money enough to do business,
while the Treasury is groaning with it.
Quite portion Of this surplus is raised
from the tax on whisky, beer and tO6ac-
co. We see no reason why these articles
should be taxed for revenue. Let the
tax be swept eway altogether, with al in
ternal revenue taxes, or let it
be raised so that it will restrict
the Gale. At present the tax only
helps the dealer, and has no effect
whatever On the consumer except to
somewhat increase his expenses. By the
way, speaking Of the Treasury surplus, it
is g matter that requires no discussion Or
conflict of opinion. Ask nine-tenths of
the business men of the country what
should be done and the answer Will be
plain and unequivocal: Increase the
duties on articles that now compete with
American products SO that they will be
protective, abolish oil internal revenue
taxes continue to call in bonds, no mat
ter If premium be paid for them, and in
crease appropriations for river and har-
Dor defenses."
This demand OF the east will be
by the popular prejudics
against internal revenue taxes and
by selfish interests Of wool, rice. sugar
and isolated iron districts in the |
south. The surplus must go, but that
surplus doesn't iniure the victim Of q |
high tariff so much as it does the beref-
ciary of it; but the protectionists are or
ganized and the farmer reYiles an inter
nal revenue tax. The outlook for the tri-
Gmph of selfish interests must be very
pleasant to them.